How To Compare Euro Area Firms To Large Firms

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1 SURVEY ON THE ACCESS TO FINANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE EURO AREA OCTOBER 11 TO MARCH 12 APRIL 12

2 European Central Bank, 12 Address Kaiserstrasse 29, 6311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Postal address Postfach , 666 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Telephone Internet Fax All rights reserved. Reproduction for educational and non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. ISSN (online)

3 This report presents the main features of the results of the sixth round of the survey on the access to finance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the euro area (SAFE), conducted between 29 February and 29 March 12 on behalf of the European Central Bank (). The total sample size for the euro area was 7,511 firms, of which 6,969 (93%) had less than 25 employees. 1 The report provides evidence mainly on the change in the financial situation, financing needs and access to external financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the euro area, compared with large firms, during the preceding six months, i.e. the period from October 11 to March In addition, it provides an overview of developments in SME access to finance across euro area countries. 1 THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF EURO AREA SMES In the period from October 11 to March 12 (H2 11), which was characterised by a weakening of economic activity in the euro area, a net 3 2% of euro area SMEs reported a contraction in turnover. This was mainly driven by SMEs in the construction sector where a net 17% reported a decrease in turnover, only partially offset by SMEs in the industry sector, where on balance 1% reported an increase in turnover. In addition, the turnover contraction occurred particularly in the segment of older firms (1 years and older) while younger SMEs continued to report on balance an increase in turnover during the survey period. The development for euro area SMEs represented a deterioration compared with the previous six-month period when SMEs reported on balance an increase in turnover (9% in H1 11; see Chart 1). In addition, on balance, a higher percentage (27%) than in the previous survey period (15%) of euro area SMEs reported a deterioration of their profits, in particular in the construction (44%) and the trade (3%) sectors. In line with this, a higher net percentage of SMEs mentioned increased labour and other costs (46% and 67% respectively, up from 43% and 59%), likely reflecting in particular increases in energy prices. 1 See Annex 2 for details on the weighting scheme. 2 The reference period for the previous survey round (H1 11) was April to September Net percentages refer to the difference between firms reporting an increase and those reporting a decrease. April 12 1

4 Euro area SMEs reported a slight further decline in their leverage (ratio of debt to assets), similar to the net percentage in the previous six-month period (5%, compared with 6%), with the exception of the construction sector where firms reported an increase in leverage (on balance 7%). This decline reflects the continued need to deleverage from substantial levels of debt, but also a decline in the availability of debt financing in the survey period (see below). At the same time, SMEs leverage developments were heterogeneous across euro area countries (see country section below). Notwithstanding their deleveraging, and as in the previous survey period, SMEs reported on balance similar net interest expenses to those in the previous wave (24%, compared with 25%). Large firms also reported, on balance, a decline in their profits, for the first time since the second half of 9 (4%, after a net increase of 1% in H1 11; see Chart 1a in Annex 1A). However, the net percentage was much lower than for SMEs. In addition, large firms continued to report on balance an increase in turnover, although the net percentage was lower than in the previous six-month period (32%, down from 45%). Large firms leverage continued declining (in net terms 6% of the large firms mentioned this, compared with 7% in H1 11), similar to the situation for SMEs. Overall, for large firms, the financial situation appears to remain clearly more favourable than for SMEs. Chart 1 CHANGE IN THE INCOME AND DEBT SITUATION OF EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; net percentage of respondents) '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 Turnover Labour costs Other costs Net interest expenses Profit Debt to assets ratio Base: All SMEs. Note: The net percentage is the difference between the percentage of firms reporting an increase for a given factor and that reporting a decrease. 2 April 12

5 Finding customers remained the dominant concern for euro area SMEs also in this survey period (with 27% of SMEs mentioning this issue, up from 23% in H1 11; see Chart 2). At the same time, the importance of Access to finance was broadly unchanged as a concern for euro area SMEs (17% mentioned this, after 16% in H1 11), remaining below the peak reached in H2 9 (19%). In line with the evidence on the financial situation, Access to finance was mentioned as the most pressing concern in particular in the construction sector (22%). Other areas like Competition and Availability of skilled staff or experienced managers were mentioned somewhat less frequently (12% and 14% respectively). Interestingly, SMEs up to 5 years old mentioned Finding customers and Access to finance similarly often as their most pressing problem (both around %). For large firms, Access to finance (mentioned by 14%, up from 11%) was less of an issue, while Finding customers and Availability of skilled staff or experienced managers were their dominant concerns (% and 18%, broadly unchanged from 19% and 18% respectively; see Chart 2a in Annex 1A). Chart 2 THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM FACED BY EURO AREA SMES (percentage of respondents) 3 H1 9 H2 9 H1 1 H H1 11 H Finding customers Competition Access to finance Costs of production or labour Availability of skilled staff or experienced managers Regulation Other Don't know Base: All SMEs. April 12 3

6 2 EXTERNAL FINANCING NEEDS AND ACCESS TO FINANCE OF EURO AREA SMES 2.1 SOURCES OF EXTERNAL FINANCING OF EURO AREA SMES Compared with the previous survey round, the composition of SMEs sources of external financing changed little between October 11 and March 12. The percentage of euro area SMEs using bank loans (35%, up from 33% in H1 11) and bank overdrafts or credit lines (42%, up from 4%) increased somewhat in comparison with the previous round, bank financing remaining their most important source of external financing (see Chart 3). The use of trade credit also increased during the survey period, whereas the importance of leasing, hire purchase and factoring appears to have declined. Chart 3 SOURCES OF EXTERNAL FINANCING OF EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) 45 H1 9 H2 9 H1 1 H H1 11 H Base: All SMEs. Overdrafts and credit lines Bank loans Trade credit Leasing, hire purchase and factoring 2.2 EXTERNAL FINANCING NEEDS OF EURO AREA SMES As in the previous survey round, more SMEs reported an increase (19%, up from 17% in H1 11) of their need (demand) for bank loans than a decrease (11%, compared with 12%; see Chart 4). 4 In net terms, SMEs need for bank loans and bank overdrafts 4 Regardless of whether they have applied or not for external financing, all survey respondents are asked about their needs for each source of external financing (i.e. bank loans, bank overdrafts and credit lines, trade credit, equity and debt securities issuance). 4 April 12

7 increased somewhat compared with the previous six-month period (to 8% and 14% respectively, from 5% and 1% in H1 11), possibly reflecting lower profits, while the change in the need for trade credit remained broadly similar (5%, compared with 4%). While SMEs reported on balance a higher need for external finance, this is not reflected in SMEs financing need for fixed investment or for inventory and working capital, for which the change in the need remained similar to the previous six-month period (11%, after 12%, for both items; see Chart 5). At the same time, SMEs financing need for these factors remained positive. Besides external financing needs due to lower internal funds (on balance 7%, after 6% in H1 11), the increased need for external financing mentioned by SMEs may also reflect a demand for funds out of precautionary motives, in particular as the survey period from October 11 to March 12 was partly characterised by high uncertainty with respect to available (bank) funding sources. Due to the high dependency of SMEs on bank loans, this may have been particularly relevant for them. Chart 4 CHANGE IN THE EXTERNAL FINANCING NEEDS OF EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) 1 8 Net percentages Chart 5 CHANGE IN FACTORS AFFECTING THE EXTERNAL FINANCING NEEDS OF EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) 1 8 Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loans Trade credit Bank overdraft increased remained unchanged decreased not applicable don't know Base: All SMEs. Note: See the note to Chart 1. Fixed investment increased needs decreased needs don't know Inventory and working capital Base: All SMEs. Note: See the note to Chart 1. Availability of internal funds no impact on needs not relevant, did not occur Large firms also reported, on balance, an increased need for bank loans (9%, up from 6%), but not for bank overdrafts and trade credit (5% and 8%, down from 7% and 9%, April 12 5

8 respectively). Their financing need for fixed investment remained broadly unchanged (on balance 24%) and declined for working capital (19%, down from 22%) compared with the previous survey period (see Charts 4a and 5a in Annex 1A). 2.3 AVAILABILITY OF EXTERNAL FINANCING FOR EURO AREA SMES SMEs perceived a further deterioration in the availability (supply) of bank loans between October 11 and March 12 (% in net terms, up from 14% in H1 11; see Chart 6). The reported deterioration is however below the levels of 9 (around 3%), at the time after the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. The availability of bank loans was assessed, on balance, most negatively in the construction sector (32%), while it was perceived less negatively in the industry sector (13%). In the current survey period, SMEs also reported a further deterioration in the availability of bank overdrafts as well as of trade credit, indicating an overall considerable worsening in the access to finance for euro area SMEs in the period from October 11 to March 12. Chart 6 CHANGE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTERNAL FINANCING FOR EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loans Trade credit Bank overdraft increased remained unchanged decreased not applicable don't know Base: SMEs that had applied for external financing. Note: See the note to Chart 1. The deterioration in the availability of bank loans was much less pronounced for large firms (4% in net terms, down from 1%) and lower than in the previous survey period. This may reflect a lower riskiness of bank loans to large firms and/or a stronger 6 April 12

9 negotiation power of large firms, which overall avoided a stronger worsening in an environment of tightened bank financing conditions in the fourth quarter of 11. Large firms also reported, on balance, a deterioration in the availability of bank overdrafts and trade credit (12% and 4%, compared with 9% and 4% respectively; see Chart 6a in Annex 1A). Turning to the factors affecting the deterioration in the availability of external financing, SMEs referred in particular to the worsening of the general economic outlook (35% in net terms, up from 3%; see Chart 7). They also reported a further worsening in their firm-specific outlook (13%, up from 7%). These demand-driven factors may reflect higher risks related to the weakening economic activity, which banks take into account in their lending policy. Such higher risks may also be reflected in SMEs somewhat less positive assessment of their own capital and credit history (on balance 1% and 3% respectively, down from 4% and 7% in H1 11). These factors were however less negative than in 9, when the downturn in economic activity was much more severe. However, supply restrictions in the provision of bank loans increased in the period from October 11 to March 12. In net terms, 23% (compared with % in H1 11) of the SMEs pointed to a lower willingness of banks to provide a loan, which was close to SMEs perception in 9 (on balance 25% perceived a lower willingness at that time), i.e. in the period after the Lehman bankruptcy. Chart 7 CHANGE IN FACTORS HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTERNAL FINANCING TO EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H General economic outlook Firm specific outlook Firm's own capital Firm's credit history Willingness of banks to provide a loan increased remained unchanged decreased not applicable don't know Base: All SMEs. Note: See the note to Chart 1. April 12 7

10 Large firms also attributed the deterioration in the availability of bank loans mostly to the worsening general economic outlook (36% in net terms, up from 3% in H1 11; see Chart 7a in Annex 1A). In addition, they also perceived a lower willingness of banks to provide a loan (15% in net terms, up from 8%), but less than SMEs did. 2.4 APPLICATIONS FOR EXTERNAL FINANCING AND THEIR SUCCESS Between October 11 and March 12, 25% of the SMEs applied for a bank loan (up from 22% in H1 11), while 47% (down from 51% in H1 11) did not apply because of sufficient internal funds (see Chart 8), broadly in line with the reported deteriorated profit situation of SMEs (see Section 1). The percentage of firms not applying for a loan for fear of rejection stayed broadly stable (at 7%, compared with 6% in the previous survey round). When asked about the actual outcome of their bank loan applications, 13% of the SMEs reported that their application had been rejected (up from 1% in H1 11; see Chart 9). This is the highest percentage since the peak of 18% in the second half of 9, thus reflecting SMEs constraints in their access to bank loans in the period from October 11 to March 12. In particular micro firms (1 to 9 employees; see Annex 2) reported a substantial rejection rate (%, up from 15% in H1 11). At the same time, 62% (practically unchanged from 63% in H1 11) of the SMEs reported that they had received the full amount of their loan application (compared with the low of 56% in H2 9). The deterioration was more pronounced for the loans which were only granted in part, for which the percentage declined to 16%, from 18% in the previous survey round, and was the lowest percentage since the start of the SAFE in 9. This may reflect that banks applied a very cautious lending policy in particular for riskier loans, accepting applications only in part possibly related to lacking collateral. For bank overdrafts, SMEs also reported an increase in the rejection rate (to 14%, from 1% in H1 11). For large firms, the rejection rate for bank loans remained lower (unchanged at 3%; see Chart 9a in Annex 1A). However, their success when applying for a bank loan declined substantially, to 68% (down from 78%), which is the lowest value since the start of the SAFE in 9. By contrast, the percentage of bank loan applications only partly satisfied increased (to 21%, from 16%). This also tends to confirm a possible increased scrutiny of banks aiming at differentiating between loan applications. 8 April 12

11 Chart 8 APPLICATIONS FOR EXTERNAL FINANCING BY EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loan (new or renewal) Base: All SMEs. Trade credit Bank overdraft don't know did not apply for other reasons did not apply because of sufficient internal funds did not apply because of possible rejection applied Chart 9 OUTCOME OF THE APPLICATIONS FOR EXTERNAL FINANCING BY EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; percentage of firms that had applied for bank loans or trade credit) H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loan (new or renewal) Trade credit don't know application rejected application granted but cost too high application granted in part application granted in full Bank overdraft Base: SMEs that had applied for bank loans or trade credit. 2.5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LOAN FINANCING The picture with respect to the terms and conditions of bank loan financing is mixed. While the net percentage of SMEs reporting an increase in interest rates remained high (42%), it declined considerably compared with the previous six-month period (54% in H1 11; see Chart 1). In addition, a broadly unchanged net percentage of 5% (from 49%) reported an increase in the other costs of financing (which include charges, fees and commissions). With respect to non-price terms and conditions, for which the degree of deterioration was generally lower, SMEs reported on balance a further albeit moderate increase in collateral requirements (36%, up from 33%) and a slight decline in the size of the loan or credit line (1%, down from a net increase of 2% in H1 11), pointing to some quantitative constraints in the availability of loans. Compared with SMEs view, the net percentage of large firms reporting an increase in interest rate charges declined more substantially (to 31%, from 57% in H1 11). In April 12 9

12 addition, compared with the previous survey period, large firms reported, on balance, a smaller increase in collateral requirements (26%, down from 29% in H1 11; see Chart 1a in Annex 1A). Chart 1 CHANGE IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BANK LOANS GRANTED TO EURO AREA SMES (over the preceding six months; net percentage of firms that had applied for bank loans) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Level of interest rates Level of the other costs of financing Available size of loan or credit line Collateral requirements Other requirements increased by the bank unchanged decreased by the bank don't know Base: SMEs that had applied for bank loans or trade credit. Note: The net percentage is the difference between the percentage of firms reporting that the given factor has increased and the percentage reporting that it has decreased. 2.6 EXPECTATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO FINANCE For the coming six-month period (April to September 12), SMEs expect, on balance, a slight further deterioration of their access to bank loans and bank overdrafts (7% and 8% respectively, compared with an expected 5% for both for the period from October 11 to March 12; see Chart 11). In addition, while SMEs had expected on balance an improvement of their internal funds for H2 11 (2%), they now expect a deterioration for the coming six months (on balance 3%), reflecting expectations of ongoing modest economic activity in H1 12. However, sector developments were heterogeneous. While SMEs in the construction sector were most pessimistic regarding their internal funds (on balance 14% expecting a deterioration), SMEs in the industry sector expected an improvement of their internal funds in the coming six months (on balance 3%). In addition, younger SMEs expected on balance a slight increase in their internal funds over the coming six months, whereas older SMEs (1 years or older) were more pessimistic, on balance expecting a decline. 1 April 12

13 Large firms are on balance more optimistic regarding their availability of internal funds, expecting on balance an increase for H1 12 (8%, compared with an expected 1%). However, expectations are similar to those of SMEs regarding a deterioration in the availability of bank loans (1%, after 7% in net terms) and bank overdrafts (9%, after 3% in net terms). Chart 11 CHANGE IN EURO AREA SMES EXPECTATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO FINANCE (over the following six months; net percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Internal funds Bank loans Trade credit Bank overdraft expected to improve expected to remain unchanged expected to deteriorate not applicable don't know Base: All SMEs. Note: The net percentage is the difference between the percentage of firms expecting an improvement in the source of financing and the percentage expecting a deterioration. 3 OVERVIEW OF MAIN COUNTRY RESULTS TURNOVER, PROFITS AND COSTS Turnover generally deteriorated for SMEs, particularly so in Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal, in the survey period from October 11 to March 12 (see Chart 12). In Finland, Germany, Austria and France (and to a small extent also in Belgium and the 5 Besides being representative at the euro area level, the sample is also representative for the four largest euro area countries, i.e. Germany, France, Italy and Spain where 1, firms were interviewed in each country (see Annex 2). The sample size in the other countries was increased in the H2 1 survey round to 5 firms, enabling significant comparisons to be made across countries. Comparisons for the small countries over time should be made with some caution as the sample has changed and may be less precise for the first three rounds of the survey. April 12 11

14 Netherlands), SMEs reported increased turnover in net terms, but also in these countries the percentages were lower than during spring and summer 11. Chart 12 CHANGE IN THE TURNOVER AND PROFIT OF SMES ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the preceding six months; net percentages) Turnover '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Profit Base: All SMEs. Note: See the note to Chart 1. Chart 13 CHANGE IN LABOUR AND OTHER COSTS (RAW MATERIAL AND OTHER INPUT COSTS) OF SMES ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the preceding six months; net percentages) '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Base: All SMEs. Note: See the note to Chart 1. Labour costs Other costs Together with the deterioration in turnover, SMEs in most euro area countries reported on balance a decrease of profits (with the net percentages in Spain (-6%) and Greece (- 12 April 12

15 71%) being the most negative). Conversely, in net terms, 8% of German and Finnish SMEs pointed to persistent increases in their profits. In most countries, SMEs continued to report on balance rising labour and other costs, with the exception of Greece where labour costs were reported to be falling. The survey also suggests that labour cost increases were more contained in Ireland, Spain and Portugal (see Chart 13). According to the survey results, there are signs that the deleveraging process has continued from October 11 to March 12, with the notable exception of Italian SMEs. The deleveraging process for the SMEs would seem more pronounced in Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, but would also seem present in most other countries with the exception of Italy and Portugal. The Italian SMEs, in particular, report increasing their leverage, with the net percentage jumping from 6% to 24% in this survey round. As recent data on loan developments show a decline in small-sized loans extended by banks to companies in Italy, one possible explanation of this result could be that this change has more to do with the asset side of the SMEs balance sheet and a possible reduction in the amount and/or value of assets available to SMEs (see Chart 14). Chart 14 CHANGE IN THE RATIO OF DEBT TO TOTAL ASSETS OF SMES ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the preceding six months; net percentages) '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9 '1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9 '1'11 '9'1'11 '9 '1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9 '1'11 '9'1'11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Base: All SMEs. Note: See the note to Chart 1. The importance of Access to finance increased as a concern for most euro area SMEs, except for German, French and Finnish firms (see Chart 15). With respect to previous survey rounds, the concern reached a peak, even higher than in H2 9, in Greece, Ireland and Portugal. April 12 13

16 Chart 15 ACCESS TO FINANCE AS THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM FACED BY EURO AREA SMES (percentage of respondents) '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 '9'1'11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Base: All SMEs. 3.2 EXTERNAL FINANCING NEEDS AND ACCESS TO FINANCE SMEs need for bank loans increased broadly across euro area countries, most strongly so in Greece and Italy and, to a lesser extent, in Portugal. Dutch and Austrian SMEs were the only ones to report in net terms a slight decline in their needs (see Chart 16). While the increased needs for bank loans were attributed in general to a variety of reasons, Greek, Spanish and Italian firms, in particular, attributed this to the (lack of) internal funds at their disposal. Chart 16 CHANGE IN THE NEED FOR BANK LOANS AND THE IMPACT OF INTERNAL FUNDS ON THE NEED PERCEIVED BY SMES ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the preceding six months; net percentages) Change in needs for bank loans of SMEs Impact of the availability of internal funds on the needs for external financing '9 '1'11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1'11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1'11 '9 '1'11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1'11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1'11 '9 '1'11 '9 '1 '11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Base: All SMEs. Note: See the note to Chart April 12

17 Turning to the supply of finance, survey results suggest a general deterioration of the availability of bank credit for SMEs in most euro area countries, with the exception of Germany (see Chart 17). This concerns the availability of both bank loans and bank overdraft facilities. Also here there are differences, and the net percentage of SMEs reporting a deterioration of bank loan availability is highest in Greece (45%), Ireland and Portugal (both at 35%). Compared with the previous wave, bank credit availability would seem to have worsened most in Belgium, Spain and Italy. Improvements can instead be observed (starting from negative numbers) in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Finland. In most countries, SMEs perceived the general economic outlook to be the main factor affecting bank loan availability. SMEs in Italy, Spain and Greece reported, as an additional important explanatory factor, the deterioration of their firm-specific outlook with respect to their sales and profitability or business plans. Pure supply-side factors (i.e. the willingness of banks to provide loans) would seem to have worsened further across countries, particularly in Italy if compared with the previous survey rounds. While German and Finnish SMEs reported on balance that the willingness of banks to provide loans has remained broadly unchanged or slightly improved, nearly 5% of the SMEs in Greece and Spain perceived instead a further deterioration in banks willingness to provide a loan. Chart 17 CHANGE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF BANK LOANS AND OVERDRAFTS, AS PERCEIVED BY SMES ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the preceding six months; net percentages) Bank loan Bank overdraft 6 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Base: All SMEs that applied for external financing. Note: See the note to Chart 1. April 12 15

18 In line with the overall euro area picture, from October 11 to March 12, a slightly larger percentage of SMEs across countries applied for a bank loan than in the previous survey. Looking at the success of these applications, SMEs in Greece reported considerably higher rejection rates (38%; see Chart 18) than SMEs in other countries. Also SMEs in Italy (19%), Spain (16%), Ireland (17%) and Portugal (18%) reported rejection rates higher than the euro area average. With respect to previous survey rounds, rejection rates have increased or remained broadly unchanged in most countries with the exception of Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, where instead they declined. Chart 18 OUTCOME OF APPLICATIONS FOR BANK LOANS BY SMES ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the preceding six months; percentage of firms that had applied for bank loans) BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Applied and got everything Applied but was rejected Applied and got a limited part of it Applied but refused because cost too high Applied and got most of it don't know Firms that applied for a bank loan (new or renewal; excluding overdrafts and credit lines) (over the preceding six months; percentages) BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area H Base: All SMEs that had applied for bank loans. 16 April 12

19 Turning to the terms and conditions of bank financing (see Chart 19), in most countries the net percentage of firms reporting an increase of lending rates and other costs of financing was positive but lower than in the previous wave. Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal showed the highest net percentages of SMEs reporting an increase in interest rates, while German SMEs reported in net terms a decline in interest rates charged by banks. Also the increases in non-price terms and conditions (i.e. collateral requirements, covenants and other guarantees) were generally perceived as significant. Chart 19 CHANGE IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BANK LOANS TO SMES ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the preceding six months; net percentages) Level of interest rates Level of other costs of financing 6 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Base: All SMEs that applied for a bank loan. Note: See the note to Chart 1. Regarding expectations of future developments in access to finance for the coming six months, SMEs in most euro area countries were, in net terms, expecting a deterioration in the availability of bank loans until the end of summer 12 (see Chart ). In Greece, SMEs tended to foresee a further strong deterioration, while Germany and Finland stood out as the two countries where the balance of opinion regarding the expected SME access to bank loans was slightly tilted to the upside. April 12 17

20 Chart SMES EXPECTATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO BANK LOANS ACROSS EURO AREA COUNTRIES (over the following six months; net percentages) '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 BE DE IE GR ES FR IT NL AT PT FI euro area Base: All SMEs that had applied for external financing. Note: See the note to Chart April 12

21 ANNEX 1: LARGE FIRMS OVERVIEW OF THE SURVEY REPLIES Chart 1a CHANGE IN THE INCOME AND DEBT SITUATION OF LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; net percentage of respondents) '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 '9 '1 '11 Turnover Labour costs Other costs Net interest expenses Profit Debt to assets ratio Base: All large firms. Note: The net percentage is the difference between the percentage of firms reporting an increase for a given factor and that reporting a decrease. April 12 19

22 Chart 2a THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM FACED BY LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (percentage of respondents) 25 H2 9 H1 1 H H1 11 H Finding customers Competition Access to finance Costs of production or labour Availability of skilled staff or experienced managers Regulation Other Don't know Base: All large firms. Note: The results for H1 9 are not comparable and therefore not shown. Chart 3a SOURCES OF EXTERNAL FINANCING OF LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) 8 H1 9 H2 9 H1 1 H H1 11 H Internal funds Base: All large firms. Overdrafts and credit lines Bank loans Trade credit Leasing, hire purchase and factoring April 12

23 Chart 4a CHANGE IN THE EXTERNAL FINANCING NEEDS OF LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loans Trade credit Bank overdraft increased remained unchanged decreased not applicable don't know Base: All large firms. Note: See the note to Chart 1a. Chart 5a CHANGE IN FACTORS AFFECTING THE EXTERNAL FINANCING NEEDS OF LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Fixed investment increased needs decreased needs don't know Inventory and working capital Base: All large firms. Note: See the note to Chart 1a. Availability of internal funds no impact on needs not relevant, did not occur Chart 6a CHANGE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTERNAL FINANCING FOR LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loans Trade credit Bank overdraft increased remained unchanged decreased not applicable don't know Base: Large firms that had applied for external financing. Note: See the note to Chart 1a. April 12 21

24 Chart 7a CHANGE IN FACTORS HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTERNAL FINANCING TO LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H General economic outlook Firm specific outlook Firm's own capital Firm's credit history Willingness of banks to provide a loan increased remained unchanged decreased not applicable don't know Base: All large firms. Note: See the note to Chart 1a. 22 April 12

25 Chart 8a APPLICATIONS FOR EXTERNAL FINANCING BY LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; percentage of respondents) H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loan (new or renewal) Trade credit Bank overdraft don't know did not apply for other reasons did not apply because of sufficient internal funds did not apply because of possible rejection applied Base: All large firms. Chart 9a OUTCOME OF THE APPLICATIONS FOR EXTERNAL FINANCING BY LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; percentage of firms that had applied for bank loans or trade credit) H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Bank loan (new or renewal) Trade credit don't know application rejected application granted but cost too high application granted in part application granted in full Bank overdraft Base: Large firms that had applied for bank loans or trade credit. April 12 23

26 Chart 1a CHANGE IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BANK LOANS GRANTED TO LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS (over the preceding six months; net percentage of firms that had applied for bank loans) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Level of interest rates Level of the other costs of financing Available size of loan or credit line Collateral requirements Other requirements increased by the bank unchanged decreased by the bank don't know Base: Large firms that had applied for bank loans or trade credit. Note: The net percentage is the difference between the percentage of firms reporting that the given factor has increased and the percentage reporting that it has decreased. Chart 11a CHANGE IN LARGE EURO AREA FIRMS EXPECTATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO FINANCE (over the following six months; net percentage of respondents) Net percentages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H Internal funds Bank loans Trade credit Bank overdraft expected to improve expected to remain unchanged expected to deteriorate not applicable don't know Base: All large firms. Note: The net percentage is the difference between the percentage of firms expecting an improvement in the source of financing and the percentage expecting a deterioration. 24 April 12

27 ANNEX 2: METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION ON THE SURVEY AND GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRMS IN THE SAMPLE This annex presents an overview of the methodology of the survey and the general characteristics of the euro area firms that participated in this survey. BACKGROUND The data presented in this report were collected through a survey of companies in the euro area. The first two survey rounds were carried out by Gallup, while the following rounds were carried out by IPSOS MORI, in cooperation with the IPSOS network of national research agencies in the various Member States. To the best of our knowledge, there were no breaks attributable to the change of provider. Some changes in the questionnaire (for instance, the change to the wording of internal funds and equity, and additional questions on bank overdrafts) may have caused a break in the series between the H2 9 and H1 1 rounds. The survey interviews for this round were conducted between 29 February and 29 March 12. SAMPLE SELECTION The companies in the sample were selected randomly from the Dun & Bradstreet database of firms. The sample was stratified by firm size class, economic activity and country. The number of firms in each of these strata of the sample was adjusted to increase the accuracy of the survey across activities and size classes. For example, the proportion of small firms selected for the sample was higher than their economic weight. The results were then corrected using the appropriate weights (as described below). The total euro area sample size was 7,511 firms, of which 6,969 had fewer than 25 employees. As regards the stratification by firm size class, the sample was constructed to offer the same precision for micro (1 to 9 employees), small (1 to 49 employees) and mediumsized (5 to 249 employees) firms. In addition, a sample of large firms (25 or more employees) was included in order to be able to compare developments for SMEs with those for large firms. April 12 25

28 Table A.1 NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH EURO AREA FIRMS, BROKEN DOWN BY FIRM SIZE CLASS Number of interviews Number of interviews Micro 2,549 Medium-sized 1,873 Small 2,547 Large 542 The sample sizes for each economic activity were selected to ensure sufficient representativeness across the four major activities: industry, construction, trade and services. The statistical stratification was based on economic activities at the one-digit level of the European NACE classification (Rev. 1.1). Enterprises from mining and quarrying (C), manufacturing (D), and electricity, gas and water supply (E) were combined into industry. Construction is simply construction (F). Trade includes wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods (G). Services includes enterprises in hotels and restaurants (H), transport, storage and communication (I), real estate, renting and business activities (K), education (M), health and social work (N) and other community, social and personal service activities (O). Agriculture, hunting and forestry (A), fishing (B), financial intermediation (J), public administration (L), activities of households (P), extra-territorial organisations and bodies (Q), holding companies (NACE 74.15) and private non-profit institutions were excluded from the sample. Table A.2 NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH EURO AREA FIRMS, BROKEN DOWN BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY Number of interviews Number of interviews Industry 2,38 Trade 2,67 Construction 782 Services 2,624 Finally, the sample sizes in the different countries were selected on the basis of a compromise between the costs of the survey at the euro area level and representativeness at the country level. Besides being representative at the euro area level, the sample is also representative for the four largest euro area countries, i.e. Germany, France, Italy and 26 April 12

29 Spain (see the section entitled Weighting below for information on the weights used). The sample size in the seven other euro area countries that are included in the survey every six months (Belgium, Ireland, Greece, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland) was increased in the H2 1 round to 5 firms in each country, enabling some significant results to be drawn from these countries. The six smallest countries in the euro area (Estonia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia) were included in the sample. Since they represent less than 3% of the total number of employees in the euro area, this had only a very marginal impact on the results for the euro area as a whole. In terms of euro area countries, the sample structure for this survey round was as follows: Table A.3 NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH EURO AREA FIRMS, BROKEN DOWN BY COUNTRY Number of interviews Number of interviews Belgium 53 Italy 1, Germany 1, Netherlands 5 Ireland 5 Austria 5 Greece 5 Portugal 53 Spain 1, Finland 5 France 1,5 FIELDWORK All interviews were conducted by telephone (CATI). The person interviewed in each company was a top-level executive (general manager, financial director or chief accountant). QUESTIONNAIRE The questionnaire used for the survey is available on the s website. It was translated into the respective languages for the purposes of the survey. In this round, as is the case every two years, it included additional questions on loan financing, as well as growth expectations and perceived obstacles to growth aspirations. WEIGHTING In order to restore the modified proportions, with regard to company size and economic activity (see the section Sample selection above), calibrated weights were used. Since the economic weight of the companies varies according to the size of the company, there are two main classes of weights which can be used: (i) weights that restore the proportions April 12 27

30 of the number of firms in each size class, economic activity and country; and (ii) weights that restore the proportions of the economic weight of each size class, economic activity and country. In this report, the second set of weights is used, as the objective is to measure the effect of access to finance on economic variables. The number of persons employed is used as a proxy for economic weight. 6 The calibration targets were derived from the latest figures of Eurostat s Structural Business Statistics in terms of the number of persons employed, by economic activity, size class and country, with figures from national accounts and from different country-specific registers to cover for activities not included in the Structural Business Statistics regulations, as well as from figures from the SME performance review, prepared by EIM for the European Commission. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS OF THE SAMPLE OF FIRMS Chart A.1 BREAKDOWN OF FIRMS INTO SIZE CLASSES Chart A.2 BREAKDOWN OF FIRMS ACROSS COUNTRIES 34% 7% 25% large firms medium-sized firms small firms Austria 7% Netherlands 7% Portugal 7% Finland 7% Belgium 7% Germany 13% Ireland 7% 34% micro firms Sample size: 7,511 Italy 13% France 13% Spain 13% Greece 7% Sample size: 7,511 Note: Firms have been classified according to size in terms of the number of employees: micro firms have between 1 and 9 employees, small firms between 1 and 49, mediumsized firms between 5 and 249, and large firms have 25 or more. 6 According to official statistics, 92% of firms in the euro area are micro firms (with 1 to 9 employees), 7% are small firms, 1% are medium-sized firms and.2% are large firms. However, in terms of economic weight, as measured by the number of persons employed, micro firms represent 31%, small firms 22%, medium-sized firms 16% and large firms 3% of all firms. 28 April 12

31 Chart A.3 BREAKDOWN OF FIRMS ACROSS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Chart A.4 BREAKDOWN OF FIRMS BY FIRM AGE 28% 1% 27% construction industry services 12% 5% 6% more than 1 years between 5 and 1 years between 2 and 4 years less than 2 years 35% trade 75% don't know/ no answer Sample size: 7,511 Sample size: 7,511 Chart A.5 BREAKDOWN OF FIRMS ACCORDING TO OWNERSHIP 2% 24% 12% 2% 4% 57% listed on the stock market family or entrepreneurs other firms or business associates venture capital firms or business angels one natural person only other Sample size: 7,511 April 12 29